Insect replellent blends, lotions, and sprays

Abstract

Insect repellent blends, lotions, and sprays are provided. The insect repellent blend includes citronella, geraniol, crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol (Chinese crystal), and terpineol and/or rhodinol. Preferably, the blend is dissolved or dispersed in a conveying medium so that the resulting product has weight percentages of approximately 0.05% citronella, approximately 0.06% geraniol, approximately 0.08 to 0.5% crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol approximately 0.06% terpineol and/or approximately 0.08% rhodinol (extra). Four embodiments were tested against the efficacy of the individual ingredients and against an inert control. The interaction of ingredients in each of the embodiments was found by statistical analysis to be synergistic. The embodiments containing higher concentrations of the crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol were found to have greater efficacy than the embodiments containing lower concentrations of crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol. Little difference was observed between embodiments containing terpineol versus rhodinol extra.

We claim: 
     
       1. An insect repellent, comprising: a blend of geraniol, citronella, crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol, and terpineol and/or rhodinol.   
     
     
       2. An insect repellent according to claim 1, wherein: said geraniol comprises from about 5% to 25% by weight of said blend,   said citronella comprises from about 5% to 25% by weight of said blend,   said crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol comprises from about 30% to 75% by weight of said blend, and   said terpineol comprises from about 10% to about 30% by weight of said blend.   
     
     
       3. An insect repellent according to claim 1, wherein: said geraniol comprises from about 5% to 25% by weight of said blend,   said citronella comprises from about 5% to 25% by weight of said blend,   said crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol comprises from about 30% to 75% by weight of said blend, and   said rhodinol comprises from about 10% to about 30% by weight of said blend.   
     
     
       4. An insect repellent according to claim 1, further comprising: a conveying medium, wherein said blend is dispersed or dissolved in said conveying medium.   
     
     
       5. An insect repellent according to claim 4, wherein: said geraniol constitutes at least 0.01% of the insect repellent,   said citronella constitutes at least 0.01% of the insect repellent, and   said crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes at least 0.01% of the insect repellent,   wherein all listed percentages (%) are weight percentages.   
     
     
       6. An insect repellent according to claim 5, wherein: said geraniol constitutes no more than 1% of the insect repellent;   said citronella constitutes no more than 1% of the insect repellent; and   said crystalline 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes no more than 5% of the insect repellent,   wherein all listed percentages (%) are weight percentages.   
     
     
       7. An insect repellent according to claim 4, wherein: said geraniol constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent,   said citronella constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent,   said 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes about 0.01% to 5% by weight of said insect repellent,   said terpineol constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent,   said conveying comprises the balance of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       8. An insect repellent according to claim 7, wherein: said 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes approximately 0.08% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       9. An insect repellent according to claim 7, wherein: said 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes approximately 0.5% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       10. An insect repellent according to claim 8, wherein: said geraniol constitutes approximately 0.06% by weight of said insect repellent, said citronella constitutes approximately 0.05% by weight of said insect repellent, and said terpineol constitutes approximately 0.06% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       11. An insect repellent according to claim 9, wherein: said geraniol constitutes approximately 0.06% by weight of said insect repellent, said citronella constitutes approximately 0.05% by weight of said insect repellent, and said terpineol constitutes approximately 0.06% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       12. An insect repellent according to claim 4, wherein: said geraniol constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent,   said citronella constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent,   said 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes about 0.01% to 5% by weight of said insect repellent,   said rhodinol constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent, and   said conveying comprises the balance of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       13. An insect repellent according to claim 12, wherein: said 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes approximately 0.08% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       14. An insect repellent according to claim 12, wherein: said 3,8 P-menthanediol constitutes approximately 0.5% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       15. An insect repellent according to claim 13, wherein: said geraniol constitutes approximately 0.06% by weight of said insect repellent, said citronella constitutes approximately 0.05% by weight of said insect repellent, and said rhodinol constitutes approximately 0.08% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       16. An insect repellent according to claim 14, wherein: said geraniol constitutes approximately 0.06% by weight of said insect repellent, said citronella constitutes approximately 0.05% by weight of said insect repellent, and said rhodinol constitutes approximately 0.08% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       17. An insect repellent according to claim 12, wherein: said terpineol constitutes about 0.01% to 1% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       18. An insect repellent according to claim 15, wherein: said terpineol constitutes approximately 0.05% by weight of said insect repellent.   
     
     
       19. An insect repellent according to claim 16, wherein: said terpineol constitutes approximately 0.05% by weight of said insect repellent.